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Cummings: Benghazi politicized to hurt Hillary

Hicks recounts Benghazi attack

“I thank Mr. Hicks for coming forward, for working with our investigators, and for providing his testimony to the Committee,” Cummings said in a statement. “Unfortunately, some have attempted to distort and manipulate what Mr. Hicks actually told the Committee. I believe this additional information will help clarify and complete the official record.”

A Foreign Service officer and the No. 2 on the ground in Libya the night of the attacks on the U.S. consulate in Bengahzi, Hicks added fuel to the Benghazi controversy being pushed by Republicans against the administration and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

On Friday, Cummings provided several additional details of Hicks pre-hearing interview that were omitted from the record and counter claims that State officials tried to keep him from speaking with Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah). Instead, Cummings points to portions of the interview where Hicks says he was told to ensure an attorney was present if he spoke to Chaffetz.

In the omitted portion of the transcript, Hicks says the only thing he was warned about was not revealing “part of the FBI investigation or privileged to the FBI investigation.”

Cummings also highlights portions of the transcript that were omitted from the committee’s record in which Hicks says he was never told to withhold additional information.

“I guess, in any other way did they try to, sort of, get you to say certain things or craft the substance of what you were talking about?” Hicks is asked, according to the transcript.